4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 07/02/2026 MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS 4B SALES TAX CORPORATION (WF4BSTC)
JULY 2, 2026
PRESENT:
Glenn Barham, President § WF4BSTC Members
Michael Grassi, Vice-President §
Nick Schreiber, Secretary-Treasurer §
Darrell Coleman §
Stephen Santellana §
Steve Garner §
Craig Reynolds §
Tim Short, Mayor § Mayor & City Councilors
Mike Battaglino, Councilor, District 4 §
Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager § City Staff
Kinley Hegglund, City Attorney §
Stephen Calvert, CFO & Finance Director §
Cody Melton, Fire Chief §
John Henderson, Emergency Mgmt §
Kevin Scanlan, Exec. L. Asst.IRec Secretary §
Scott Poenitzsch § Members of the Public
John Wayne Richoux §
1. Call to Order.
Mr. Glenn Barham called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m., noting that a quorum was
present.
2. Report of Financial Condition.
Mr. Paul Menzies reviewed the financial report included in the Board packet, noting that
the sales tax numbers, representing the corporation's prime revenue source, were still doing well.
This June's number was 14% above last June and revenue was 11% ahead of last year, or
roughly$300,000 in additional revenue over the budget. The bottom-line number was $7.2 million
free and clear for new projects. Mr. Menzies noted one caveat - the long-term commitment of up
to $1.4 million per year for the certificate of obligations that were just issued for the Kirby school
remodel, the trail extension, fire station and falls rehabilitation which will have its first payment
next year.
Mr. Menzies stated that the Art Walk was on its summer break, but that it was doing very
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well and that they would come back with a summary on how it has gone, particularly financially.
He also mentioned that the Miniature Wonders item that was previously approved by the
corporation, and also by the City Counsel, had a slight change and that would be brought up in
executive session.
Steve Garner asked about the terms that were negotiated for the certificates of obligation.
Steven Calvert said that he did have those numbers and details, but not with him. He stated that
they were able to get a 20-year term instead of 30 years as originally proposed and that did get
them a lower rate because the shortened time period lowered the risk. He said he would get the
rate information during the meeting and report those numbers.
Mr. Barham sought further questions from the Board on the financial report. With no
questions from the Board, Mr. Barham asked for questions from the public. There were none.
Michael Grassi moved to accept the financials as presented, seconded by Stephen Santellana,
the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
3. Consent Agenda:
a) Approval of Minutes of June 4, 2026.
Mr. Michael Grassi moved to approve the consent agenda including the approval of the
minutes of the June 4, 2026 meeting. Seconded by Mr. Steve Garner, with no further board or
public comment, the motion carried 7-0.
4. Consideration of a funding request from the City of Wichita Falls to assist in an
overhaul to the City's outdoor warning system (tornado sirens)
PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Barham announced at 3:05 p.m. that the Public Hearing on the
City of Wichita Falls' request for funding assistance for an overhaul to the City's outdoor warning
system was open.
Mr. Steven Calvert addressed the board and stated that he would provide some financial
background and then Fire Chief Cody Melton would present the technical side. Mr. Calvert said
that as noted by Mr. Menzies the sales tax revenue was growing and was 9.2% ahead and that
equated to $300,000-350,000 additional revenue year to date for the board and about $2 million
ahead in the general fund year to date. Further, he expects more growth based on economic
development in the region. The significantly higher level of growth that is already being seen is
not normal and represents a once in 10- or 20-year window of opportunity. The last time the City
saw growth like this was coming out of the pandemic. The good news is that looking forward he
expects even more growth on the horizon. The growth can also be seen in the increase in hotel
taxes. The next wave will be a significant increase in sales tax from the direct construction
spending for the economic development efforts underway and the many things that come along
with that increased construction.
Mr. Calvert stated that the City's strategy is to be responsible with this opportunity and to
be ready. By responsible he explained that sales tax monies can spike and then go away. We
are expecting a long period of increases in these revenues based on speaking with other cities
and what we have seen locally. He stated that he recommends for the City's general fund to put
together a Strategic Capital Reinvestment Fund. So that any growth over the natural levels would
be used only on one-time items for the City and not be put into recurring expenses.
The other half of the strategy is to be ready. Like in sports, there is a ready position and
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this way when the extra funds are deposited, and only after they are deposited, we can move
forward more quickly on projects that will make a difference for our City. He referred to it as
shortening the time period from deposit to ribbon cutting.
Mr. Calvert continued that the request being made today is an example of that. In the
past, when excess funds came in, the City waited for audit confirmation and the budget to cycle.
It was a very conservative approach and it created delays of 18-24 months from when the money
was deposited to when it was put into action for the citizens. We want to have a plan in place to
move quickly so that when the monies are received, and only after they have been received, we
can move forward. He added that he thinks that siren warning system is a great example of that.
The City has done a lot of work to determine what the needs are and want to have the new system
in place before the next storm cycle, which will be in the spring of next year. We are ready with
the general funds and would like 4B to come alongside the City, as this is a good way to put these
tax dollars to work. He does not recommend waiting another budget cycle, as this is a great one
time use of capital where the whole City benefits. The request to 4B is for 20% of the overall
budget and assuming that it is approved, it will go to City Council for the remaining amount later
this summer. Mr. Calvert completed his portion of the presentation and asked for questions from
the board.
Mr. Garner asked about the list of "ready" projects and who was approving that list and
what are the included projects. Mr. Calvert responded that what the City traditionally uses is the
Capital Improvements Plan. The City will use that plan as a priority tool, and as funds come in
faster than expected, we can move everything up in the timeline. That plan is the best way to
know what the City's priorities are. Mr. Calvert noted that right now the Council is focused on
streets and facilities. Streets is a high priority and even with improvements at City Hall there are
still some next level facilities that need work.
Mr. Garner mentioned the City's recently approved aggressive master plan for Park
development and inquired about its inclusion in this plan. Mr. Calvert noted that those projects
are in the plan and several could be moved up.
Mr. Garner asked about how they can stay informed of funds in the pipeline. Mr. Calvert
stated the best sources for this information were the Capital Improvements Plan and the
Budgeting process, as well as the sales tax figures. Mr. Menzies added that the Capital
Improvement Plan was on the City website. Mr. Garner stated that as a board he would like to
be part the process.
Mr. Santeliana stated that the Capital Improvements Project was a wish list but now we
have an opportunity to accelerate projects and we need to look at it quarterly and at year end.
Mr. Schreiber asked about the input from citizens and how they can be involved. Mr. Calvert
posited that might be a good subject for the Flash Vote survey program. Mr. Schreiber noted he
enjoyed serving to work on the City's growth and amenities, but wondered what were the
amenities that the citizens wanted most, as there is a world of ideas out there. Mr. Calvert
responded that it was the City's goal to turn development into opportunities. Mr. Barham noted
that the discussion had gotten a bit off the agenda.
Fire Chief Cody Melton addressed the board. He noted that he would present the request
but that John Henderson was also here to assist with any technical or system questions. Chief
Melton presented slides with the project's objectives. He noted that 4B has a history of supporting
public safety projects, including the 1997 siren installation, later upgrades and other projects like
improving public safety communication systems.
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The system currently has 53 sirens. There were originally 30 installed and then this was
increased to the present level of 53. There is some redundancy as the territory could be covered
with 35 sirens. However, given where we are now it is more cost effective to work with the 53
sirens than it is to relocate numerous sirens to maximize coverage and reduce the number of
sirens. To acquire land and set and wire in new locations would increase the timeline by a factor
of two and would also double the cost, He also noted that having some redundancy is a positive.
Chief Melton then presented a timeline beginning in April of 2025 detailing the many
meetings and people involved in putting together the current plan. He detailed working with
Councilor Flack and staff to test and begin inspection and evaluation of each siren. He spoke of
the testing, and the results, which showed that not every siren worked, but because of the
redundancy they provided the necessary warning. Chief Melton described the prior maintenance
program where the responsibility and budget was divided between Public Works and the Fire
Department and how that had changed. Going forward the maintenance of the sirens would be
a Fire Department responsibility. He then discussed the retaining of Omniwarn to perform the
evaluation and working with them, staff and other stakeholders to develop the various options
available going forward.
The first option was to basically replace everything but the poles. This would mean a
completely new system with improvements to the installations to lessen vandalism. This option
would be fully warranted and could be placed under a maintenance program where all future
maintenance would be the responsibility of the installer under a maintenance contract.
The second option was to evaluate each siren and repair or replace each piece as needed.
This option would be less expensive initially. Since the system relied on a mixture of old, new
and repaired equipment there would be no warranty on what was still a significant investment.
Also, it would not be eligible for a maintenance contract. Instead of a set annual fee for all
maintenance and upkeep, this option meant that there was no way to accurately budget future
maintenance costs.
In addition to the two equipment and service options there was an option to lease the
equipment rather than purchase it. An evaluation of the costs indicated that the purchase option
was the best use of taxpayer dollars.
One change that was made during the evaluation process was the addition of a lightening
warning system for the sports complexes and the Weeks golf course. Parks was already looking
at this feature and it was determined that it could be made a part of the system at a lower cost
than Parks Department's estimates.
Omniwarn is a HGACBuy vendor meaning they have been through the bid process and
selecting them meant we were compliant with all of our required bidding obligations. If the board
approves the request, then it is hoped that the project will be completed by December of this year,
but certainly before the next storm season in the spring.
Mayor Short commented that this process started some 15 months ago. He asked if the
public was currently at risk because of the condition of the sirens. Chief Melton responded that
he did not think so as the sirens are just 1 part of the system and they are not meant to alert
people inside or wake them up. The sirens are still an important part of the system, but they are
not the first line of defense. He continued that testing continues and they test 1/3 of the sirens
each month and issues are resolved by the traffic department. Mayor Short inquired as to the
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necessity of sirens in this day of technology. Chief Melton responded that he thought the siren
system was still a necessity in our case. He noted some cities were doing away with sirens and
relying on other means to provide storm warnings. He then went on to describe the sirens to be
installed as siren only and not voice or speaker based. The selected sirens are less expensive
and easier to maintain and have lights on them to signify that the alert is still active even between
the scheduled warning blasts. He then discussed some more of the history of the installation of
sirens over the years and the extra costs involved with relocating poles and sirens to lessen the
overall number.
John Henderson detailed some of the advantages of the new system, specifically the
phone-based operation of the system. Key personnel can access, activate and monitor the
system from their phones, as opposed to having to be at a command center as in the past. Phone
access provides 24/7 monitoring of each siren and allows for early detection of issues, Mr.
Henderson discussed the lightening detectors used by the school and indicated that they were
hand held devices and were required by law for the schools.
Mr. Poenitzsch (citizen) commented that at the last siren test there was no sound at his
office building north on Old Burkburnett Highway. He asked if it could be assumed that there had
been a lack of maintenance. Chief Melton responded that he could only speak to what he knows
since he took over. Mr. Poenitzsch asked how the City can assure the public that the maintenance
will not continue to be an issue. Chief Melton responded that as pointed out in the presentation
there is a complete maintenance and warranty package that will have the professional installers
maintain the system for a yearly fee. He added that the system is updated two times per day and
that the update is sent to their phones. Mr. Poenitzsch asked if anyone had seen a similar system
in place. Mr. Henderson stated that he had visited the Lubbock installation. Mr. Poenitzsch asked
if other systems were evaluated or other companies considered and was it the best option for the
City? Chief Melton responded that he thinks that it is the best option and that the company did
the evaluation and is completely familiar with our system and its current condition. To start over
with another company would totally change the timeframe.
Mr. Richoux (citizen) asked if there was a list of the sirens and the issues with them. Chief
Melton responded that they did have a list and the traffic department does continue to perform
maintenance on the non-performing sirens. Chief Melton continued that the system did not fail,
but that it is old and it has not had significant upgrades since 2012. Mr. Richoux asked if the
board had seen a list of the current issues with the sirens before voting on this issue. Mr. Barham
and others have seen reports and have information on the system.
Mr. Barham asked for further questions from the public, and there were none.
Mr. Schreiber stated that he appreciated that we were looking into the issue now and being
proactive so there would be no period of system failure. The city has worked diligently moving
forward on this since April of 2025 and will continue to do so until the project is across the finish
line.
Mr. Barham, having asked for board and public comment, closed the public hearing at
3:43 p.m.
Mr. Barham asked for final questions and comments before adjourning into executive
session.
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a
5. Executive Session.
Mr. Barham adjourned the meeting into executive session at 3:43 p.m. pursuant to Texas
Government Code sections 551.087, 551.071 and 551.072. He announced the meeting back into
regular session at 4:10 p.m. The subjects posted in the Notice of Meeting were deliberated, and
no votes or further action were taken on these items in executive session.
6. Motions
Mr. Garner made a motion to approve the request of the City of Wichita Falls to assist in
an overhaul to the City's outdoor warning system not to exceed $366,806. Seconded by Mr.
Santellana. Mr. Barham sought further discussion or public comment, there being none, the
motion carried 7-0.
Following up on the request for information regarding the certificate of obligation interest
rate Mr. Calvert reported that the final interest rate was 4.21%.
7. Adjourn.
No further discussions took place, nor actions taken. Mr. Barham adjourned the meeting
at 4:12 p.m.
(!►`
Glenn Barham, Presid-nt
Wichita Falls 4B Sales Tax Corporation
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